Improvement in combined locks and latches



linitii Settim me effet Letters Patent No. 113,377, dated Apu-1 4. 1871.

v IMPROVEMENT IN COMBINED LOCKS AND LATCHES.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making partvof the name.

I, SHEPHERD H. WHEELER, of Dowagac, in the county of Cass `and State of Michigan, have invented certain Improvements in Knob-Latches, of which the following is a specication. Y

' The nature of my invention relates to that class of vknob-latches known as gravitating-latches, in which the weight or gravity of some of the parts performs the office of springs to impel the latch; and consists principally in the construction of a single piece in such manner as to serve the triple purpose of a latch, lock, and bolt; the object being to produce a combined latch, lock, and bolt, that will be equally suitable for a right or left-hand door, more simple in constructionl and more durable in operation than has hitherto been done.

To enable others ski-lled inthe art to which my invention relates to make and use it, I will proceed to describe its construction and operation.

The accompanying drawing making a part of this specification is a side elevation of a device embodying my invention, having the face-plate of 4the case and knob-stem removed in order to show more distinctly the parts to which'my invention is mainly confined.

The letters of reference marked ou the drawing refer to similarletters iu the specification, in which- This case is constructed n A represents the case. much in the form of a common combinedlatch and lock,'anfl should be made J anusaced, or alike on both sides. This will allow it to be used either as a right or left-hand case.

B represents a U-shapedbolt. This bolt should have suiiicient weight-to insure prompt action. The larger arm of this bolt is pivoted to the case A near the front. and upper corner, as shown at c. This arrangement causes the end of the 'smaller arm of the bolt B to swing forward out of the case as promptly as if impelled by a spring, but is stopped from passing too far out by dropping onto the cam l). This lcam is actuated by the knob-stemin the usual manner.

The bolt B has a shoulder at a which engages with one arm of the cam D.

A circular slot, F, allows the largerarm of this' bolt to'he raised'and moved forward. Thismay be accomplished by means of the stem- G. This stem projects through the top of the case sufficiently to be grasped by the thumb and ngers,.for the purpose of bolting and unboltingthe door; but when it isvdesirable to lock the door a key should be introduoedthrough suitable openings in the case so as to engage with the notch d in the recessrH, by means of which the: bolt B may be moved and the door lockedand unlocked.

A suitable catch must be provided to receive the bolt B, but this need not diier materially from those in common` use, and need not be described here. v

Having thus described my invention in such exact terms as I can give, C

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of theU-shaped bolt lB, having the shoulder a, slot F, stem G, recess H, and notch d, with the case A, cam I), and any suitable catch and knob,'all substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore `set forth.

SHEPHERD H. WHEELER.

' .Witnesses: f

HENRY MICHAEL, BYRON E. Coon. 

